Article handling apparatus



Oct. 24, 1 967 E. R. M|| s 3,348,653

I ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 7 Filed Oct. 11, 1966 BY INVENTQR United States Patent M 3,348,653 ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Emmett R. Mills, 908 5th St., Washougal, Wash. 98671 Filed Oct. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 585,942 6 (Ilaims. (Cl. 19824) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE accommodate shifting of the agencies away from the stack' ends whereby such ends disengage the agencies and become supported by the supports.

This invention relates to article-handling apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus for handling stacks of sheet-like compressible articles. A specific embodiment of the invention is described herein in connection with preparing articles, such as paper napkins, for packaging, but it should be understood that the apparatus of the invention may be utilized as well in other applications.

In recent years, the packaging of relatively large numbers of paper napkins in single stacks has become an increasingly popular. practice. For example, in preparing a so-called family size package, as many as 360 napkins may be includedin a stack. Such large stacks, however, prior to packaging, present a number of handling problems that must be taken care of in order to obtain a satisfactory and economical packaging operation.

To begin with, for practical reasons it has been found preferable to form and transport a large stack with the napkins therein disposed on edge. If the stack is stood on end, it can easily topple with spilling of the napkins and the inclusion of different types of napkins is made difficult. However, forming and carrying a stack on edge introduces certain difficulties. Fixed supports may be provided to hold the ends of the stack. However, it is difficult to load napkins and like articles between such supports with napkins aligned. Transporting a stack of napkins with the napkins on edge is hazardous as napkins tend easily to fall out of place.

A general object of the present invention is to provide novel handling apparatus for stacks of compressible sheetlike articles that takes care of the above-indicated difiiculties in a highly practical and satisfactory manner.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the type outlined which enables an operator readily to stack together and align a relatively large number of such articles, and which further enables transport of the stacked articles with the stacks thereof remaining intact during transport.

Thus, the invention features novel dimensioning means adapted to receive a relatively uncompressed stack of sheets with the sheets on edge. Edge alignment is produced with the stack in its uncompressed state, which is facilitated because of minimal frictional engagement between adjacent sheets. According to an embodiment of the invention, the dimensioning means includes a divider defining adjacent compartments, each of which is adapted to receive a bundle of sheets with the bundles in the compartments being combined to form a completed stack. This enables an operator to build up a large stack from 3,348,653 Patented Oct. 24, 1967 smaller bundles which are more easily handled. The dimensioning means includes compressing agencies which may be moved inwardly against opposite ends of a formed stack to compress it and prepare the stack for further handling.

The invention also features novel receiving means for receiving a compressed stack of articles from the dimensioning means. The receiving means is mounted upon a power-driven conveyor, and includes a pair of spacedapart stack-end supports which function to support the ends of a stack deposited therein. The stack undergoes some relaxation in compression on being deposited in the receiving means.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel retaining means which, during transfer of a stack from the dimensioning means to the receiving means, may be actuated to releasably engage articles in the stack to maintain proper alignment of such articles.

These and other objects and advantages which are attained by the invention will become more fully apparent as the description which follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates, in perspective, stack handling apparatus as contemplated herein.

Turning now to the drawing, the apparatus includes a horizontally disposed frame member 10 taking the form of a substantially flat plate having an elongated portion 10a, and an integral lateral portion 10b extending to one sideof portion 10a. Suitably formed in the top surface of portion 10a, and extending along the length thereof, are laterally spaced, substantially parallel channels 12, 14. These channels slidably receive and provide support for a pair of elongated continuous conveyor chains 16, 18. The chains are trained over suitable sprockets (not shown) which are connected to a suitable intermittently operated powered drive means. Upon operation of the drive means, the chains are caused to move simultaneously through the channels in the direction of the arrow.

Suitably secured to the chains, and comprising stack receiving means herein, are successive pairs of spacedapart stack-end supports such as those shown at 20, 22.

In order to simplify the drawing, only one pair of stack-end supports is shown, but it is contemplated that other similar pairs of supports are mounted on the chains at locations distributed along the lengths thereof. Support 20 comprises a pair of upright braces 20a, 20b mounted on chains 16, 18, respectively. Joined to and extending horizontally between these braces are vertically spaced support elements 20c. Support 22 comprises an upright post 22a mounted on chain 18, and vertically spaced elements 22b extending horizontally out from the post. Elements 2215 parallel elements 200, and both extend transversely of the chains. Supports 20, 22 travel simultaneously upon movement of the chains, and remain the same distance apart from one another. In the drawing, these supports are shown in positions where they are directly adjacent lateral portion 10b of frame 10.

A dimensioning means is shown at 24 in which sheets may be stacked in alignment and then compressed prior to being deposited between the end supports. Further describing this means, slidably supported on lateral portion 10b of the frame is an elongated, upright, substantially flat back-up plate 26 which extends in a direction paralleling channels 12, 14 and the chains therein. Horizontally extending slots 28 in the left end of plate 26 separate elongated projections 29, and elongated horizontal extending slots 31 in the right end of the plate separate elongated projections 30.

Slidably received in slots 28, and extending horizontally therethrough toward portion 10a of frame member 10, are elongated, vertically spaced, cylindrical fingers 32.

vThese fingers have a diameter which is somewhat less than this thickness of previously-described support elements 200, such thickness being measured along a line substantially paralleling channels 12, 14. Fingers 32 are suitably joined to an upright member 34. Member 34 and fingers 32 are adapted to move back and forth along the length of slots 28, with the fingers sliding in the slots, and member 34 sliding along the face of plate 26. Fingers 32 and member 34 together comprise a compressing agency herein.

Forming another compressing agency in the apparatus, is a plate 36 with vertically spaced horizontal fingers 36a formed integrally with a support portion 36b. Fingers 36a extend toward portion a of frame member 10 between slots 31. Member 36 is adapted to move along the length of slots 31, toward and away from member 34 and its fingers 32.

A pair of fluid-operated rams 38, 40 are actuated to produce relative movement of the compressing agencies. Ram 38 has its cylinder 38a suitably mounted on the back face of plate 26, and its rod 381) connected to member 34. Ram 40 has its cylinder 40a also mounted on the back face of plate 26. Rod 40b of ram 40 is suitably connected to portion 36b of member 36.

Also forming part of dimensioning means 24, is an upright divider or dividing element 42. This element is suitably joined to the front face of plate 26 approximately midway between the opposite ends thereof. Divider 42 includes multiple, vertically spaced, horizontally extending projections 42a which extend toward frame portion 10a. The projections function to divide the region between fingers 32, 36a of the compressing agencies into two compartments which are open along the top and one side.

A stack of sheet-like articles such as napkins, outlined at 44 is shown with a portion of such stack held between fingers 32 and projections 42a, and another portion of such stack held between projections 42a and fingers 36a.

Plate 26 and the two compressing agencies of the dimensioning means in the figure are shown in a position to one side of the conveyor chains and the region bounded by end supports 20, 22. These elements of the dimensioning means are movable as a unit to place the divider and fingers of the compressing agencies over the chains and between supports 20, 22. Means is provided for shifting the elements of the dimensioning means under power, comprising a fluid-operated ram 46 having its cylinder 46a suitably mounted upon frame portion 1012. Rod 46b of the ram is connected to plate 26. Upon extension of ram 46, plate 26 moves toward the conveyor chains, and the compressing agencies and divider move over the chains between the end supports.

Suitably mounted on frame member 10 by means of upright posts 48, 50 positioned opposite divider 42 is retaining means, indicated generally at 52. The retaining means comprises a plate 54 pivotally mounted, by means of a pin 56 extending between the posts, for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis paralleling channels 12, 14. Suitably joined to the bottom surface of plate 54, and forming part of the retaining means, is a friction pad 58 which may be made of a material such as sponge rubber. A ram 60 on actuation moves plate 54 about the pivot connection provided by pin 56. This ram has its cylinder 60a connected to post 50 by pivot connection 62, and has its rod 60b pivotally connected at 64 to plate 54. Extension of ram 60 produces lowering of pad 58, and contraction of the ram causes raising of the pad.

Explaining now how the described apparatus may be used in stacking and handling articles such as paper napkins, initially, ram 46 is contracted to place the dimensioning means off to one side of the chains. The chains are stopped with end supports 20, 22 occupying the position shown. Ram 60 is contracted to raise pad 58. Rams 38, 40 are extended to move the compressing agencies to a state where they are spaced apart the maximum distance permitted by the rams.

An operator may then place napkins on edge in the compartments defined between the fingers of each compressing agency and the projections of divider 42. Assuming, for example, that it is desired to prepare a stack having a total of 360 napkins, the operator may place napkins in each of the compartments of the dimensioning means. Two operators may be employed with one filling each of the compartments. The dimensioning means is so constructed that with the compressing agencies separated their maximum distance, napkins may easily be placed in the compartments to produce a stack with the napkins loosely held and quickly falling into alignment.

When each compartment contains the desired number of napkins, and the edges thereof are properly aligned, the operator causes rams 38, 40 to contract with movement of the compressing agencies toward one another to a relatively closely spaced state, which is the position shown in the drawing. This compresses the stack and reduces its overall length.

Ram 46 is then extended to shift the compressing agencies over the chains. This moves the compressed stack into the region directly over chains 16, 18 between supports 20, 22. With the compressing agencies so placed, rams 38, 40 may be extended, to move fingers 32 into the spaces provided between elements 200 and fingers 36 into the spaces between elements 22b. When this occurs, the stack expands and the stack becomes substantially fully supported at its ends on supports 20, 22.

Ram 60 is then extended to urge friction pad 58 down onto the edges of those napkins which are located adjacent opposite sides of divider 42. Ram 46 may then be contracted to return the compressing agencies to a position to one side of the chains. During such movement, pad 58 functions to prevent withdrawal of any napkins with the retracting divider. When the compressing agencies have moved clear of the chains, ram 60 is contracted to lift the pad off the napkins. The drive means for chains 16, 18 is operated to shift supports 20, 22, and the stack of napkins between them to another work station such as a packaging station located down the conveyor.

When the next pair of stack-end supports on the chains is properly positioned adjacent the dimensioning means, the chains are stopped, and the operator proceeds in a similar manner to prepare anew stack of napkins.

Thus, the invention provides means whereby a relatively large stack of napkins may easily be prepared and handled. With the compressing agencies shifted apart, napkins stacked on edge may easily be aligned. By including the element 42 dividing the region between the compressing agencies into compartments, an operator may easily build up a large stack from smaller bundles which are more easily handled. When a full stack has been built up, with edges of the napkins properly aligned, the stack may be compressed to the desired amount and easily placed between the end supports.

It should be apparent that the operation of the various rams of the apparatus may be automatically controlled. It should be apparent also that the apparatus may be modified to accommodate different kinds of articles, and different sizes of stacks.

Since a stack is carried away on edge between suitable end supports, there is little chance of articles falling out of the stack during transport.

While an embodiment of the invention has been illustrated herein, and certain variations and modifications indicated, it is appreciated that other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is desired to cover all such variations and modifications which would be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. Apparatus for handling a stack of compressible sheet-like articles comprising, in operative position,

a conveyer;

stack-receiving means mounted on said conveyer for stack-dimensioning means mounted in a position located to one side of said conveyer including a pair of spaced-apart, relatively movable, stack-compressing agencies, said agencies having one state where they are relatively widely spaced apart and in said one state being adapted to receive between them an uncompressed stack of articles having a length greater than the spacing between said supports, said dimensioning means further including means for shifting the agencies together and into another state, which other state is operable to produce compression of a stack placed between the agencies whereby the stacks length becomes less than the spacing between said supports; and

means for moving said dimensioning means while in its said other state from its position located to one side of said conveyer to another position where the agencies of said dimensioning means are between the stack-end supports in said receiving means with any compressed stack held between the agencies then becoming located between said supports;

said stack-end supports comprising multiple spacedagencies becomes supported by said stack-end supports.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dimensioning means further includes a divider dividing the region between said agencies into compartments, each compartment being adapted to hold a portion of a stack of articles, said divider during movement of the agencies from their said first-mentioned to their said other position and on return movement of the agencies being movable with the agencies.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said conveyor is substantially horizontal, and said dimensioning means includes a substantially horizontal base substantially at the level of the conveyor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein multiple receiving means are provided on the conveyor, one following another.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 which further comprises retaining means operable, during return movement of the agencies and divider, to engage articles located adjacent said divider means to inhibit movement on such articles.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said retaining means comprises a friction pad operable to press against the edges of articles held between said supports.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,380,624 7/1945 Young 5324 2,920,775 1/ 1960 Schenkelberger 2.l465 3 3,228,166 1/1966 Thiele 532A- HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

EVON C. BLUNK, Examiner.

R. J. HICKEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING A STACK OF COMPRESSIBLE SHEET-LIKE ARTICLES COMPRISING, IN OPERATIVE POSITION, A CONVEYER; STACK-RECEIVING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CONVEYER FOR MOVEMENT WITH THE CONVEYER INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED-APART STACK-END SUPPORTS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND HOLD A STACK OF SUCH ARTICLES; STACK-DIMENSIONING MEANS MOUNTED IN A POSITION LOCATED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID CONVEYER INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED-APART, RELATIVELY MOVABLE, STACK-COMPRESSING AGENCIES, SAID AGENCIES HAVING ONE STATE WHERE THEY ARE RELATIVELY WIDELY SPACED APART AND IN SAID ONE STATE BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE HAVING THEM AN UNCOMPRESSED STACK OF ARTICLES HAVING A LENGTH GREATER THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTS, SAID DIMENSIONING MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING MEANS FOR SHIFTING THE AGENCIES TOGETHER AN INTO ANOTHER STATE, WHICH OTHER STATE IS OPERABLE TO PRODUCE COMPRESSION OF A STACK PLACED BETWEEN THE AGENCIES WHEREBY THE STACK''S LENGTH BECOMES LESS THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTS; AND 